TBS greenlights ‘Nerds’ for 2013

Reality series will be a geek-off in several categories

Looking to ride the coattails of syndie hit “The Big Bang Theory,” TBS is giving a greenlight to reality series “King of the Nerds.”

Hosted by “Revenge of the Nerds” thesps Robert Carradine and Curtis Armstrong, series will test competitors intellect, ingenuity, skills and pop culture prowess.

Cabler has ordered eight episodes, set for an early 2013 debut. Carradine and Armstrong will exec produce with Ben Silverman and Jimmy Fox of Electus, and Tod Mesirow and Craig Armstrong of 5X5 Media.

After hitting a tough ratings patch, TBS has seen a recent turnaround thanks to “The Big Bang Theory,” which airs several times a week. Net also recently gave a two-year extension to latenight talkshow “Conan,” with Conan O’Brien.

TBS has other comedy series ready to launch. May will mark the premiere of buddy skein “Men at Work” with Danny Masterson and James Lesure; the Vince Vaughn-exec produced Sitcom “Sullivan & Son” is set to go in summer; and “Wedding Band,” with Brian Austin Green and Harold Perrineau, will air later in the year.